BN eyes Johor victory six months after state polls win

JOHOR BARU: Just six months after the state polls, Johor is set to see another intense battle for its parliamentary seats in the 15th General Election (GE15), with Barisan Nasional looking to repeat its victory.

State Barisan deputy chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said it would make sure Johor would become its fortress once more in GE15.

Contenders: (From left) Onn Hafiz, Nur Jazlan, Salahuddin and Sadiq.

“Our machinery has been ready for GE15 since the state polls, which was a good testing ground for us. There will be some minor tweaks, but overall, we are ready,” he said.

During the Johor election in March, Barisan recorded a landslide victory with 40 seats, while Pakatan Harapan won 12 seats, Perikatan Nasional had three seats and the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) clinched one.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said political stability brought on by the state election in March was the key to Johor’s achievements in various aspects.

He said, having gone through a state election in March, it was now time for Johor voters to shape the next Federal Government that would be stable.

“The political stability that Johor currently enjoys has resulted in our proud achievements in terms of economy, investments, tourism and sports in such a short time.

“I appeal to Johoreans to choose a Federal Government that is moving in the same direction as the Johor government.”

This way, the state can also enjoy more allocations and assistance that will help with Johor’s aspiration to become a developed state by 2030,” he said on Facebook.

Expressing his disappointment, Johor Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said it would nevertheless prepare its machinery for GE15 as well as the monsoon season.

“The floods are predicted based on facts, data and science through the Meteorological Department’s study.

“We insisted that the priority at the moment is to prepare to face the high probability of flood risk,” said the Pulai MP, who is also Parti Amanah Negara deputy president.

“Johor Pakatan will prepare its machinery to get ready for GE15 and the monsoon season,” he said.

On Facebook, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said Parliament’s dissolution at this juncture was only for the benefit and power of certain people.

“Thousands of Malaysians have been affected by floods. In the past 10 days alone, at least 44 areas in Sarawak, Sabah, Melaka, Johor and Kedah have already been hit,” he said.